Stella Caroline Barna

Stella Caroline Barna, age 92 of Troy and formerly of Warren, died Saturday, October 19, 2019 at home. She was born December 2, 1926 in Detroit, daughter of the late Theophil and the late Stella (nee: Zielinski) Klimkowski.

Though a large part of Stella’s life was spent caring for her husband and three children, her earlier years tell the story of the consummate professional she was in her role as Executive Secretary to the Dean of the Medical School at Wayne State University in Detroit. Possessing just the right degree of poise and wisdom, Stella was the perfect compliment and support network to the man who kept the medical school running like a top. Not only possessing some incredible office skills, Stella was quite savvy to the full scope of her daily tasks and made life so much easier for the Dean in the process.

Yet for as hard as she worked in her job, Stella performed with equal precision when it came to putting food on the table. Known for being a great cook, you never wanted to miss one of her delicious repasts,…especially when she was serving up her signature Golabki’s. Or perhaps it was her iconic roast dinners that fired up your taste buds. And nobody could hold a candle to Stella’s homemade, mouthwatering Cream of Tomato soup. Mealtimes were always special at Stella’s, and nothing could top it off better than enjoying one of her cakes or delectable sugar cookies,…the latter of which always made Christmas the tastiest holiday of the year. Whether she was cooking or baking, Stella surely knew her way around the kitchen and could whip up all kinds of magic with the skills and experience she possessed. Whatever she was making, it was truly made with “hands of love.”

Speaking of working with her hands, food preparation wasn’t the only magic she performed,…all you had to do was take a peek at her garden and it was obvious that Stella poured her heart into nurturing its growth with those dutiful green thumbs of hers. From the many different varieties of flowers to her coveted tomato plants, Stella’s garden was a thing to behold and a wonderful example of her tender-loving-care,…especially with each bite of her juicy, red tomatoes.

Working with her hands could have also been loosely associated with her love of golf and the joy she reaped from each swing of the club. Nothing says fun quite like a stroll around the links with a friend on a sunny day, and nobody knew that better than Stella. Forever in search of that elusive Hole-in-One, it was simply a blast to be a woman out on the course immersed in a game whose name is derived from, “Gentleman Only, Ladies Forbidden.” We’ve come a long way, Baby,…and it’s woman like Stella who paved the way.

But the real work of Stella’s hands was witnessed in each warm & comfy blanket she knitted together, woven from the fabric of her heart. With those needles working fast & furious between her hands, it was amazing to watch Stella weave together and create her artistry with a seemingly effortless flair. It was an ingrained  talent, for sure,…but just another form of the “magic” that lie within Stella that she shared with the world. She was truly a blessing.

Quiet times for Stella could often be filled through her enjoyment of music, especially when it came to her most coveted instrument, the piano. The “tickling of the ivories” always set the ideal mood for Stella and provided the perfect escape from the stresses of the day. To many a universal instrument that most everybody enjoys, the piano ushered Stella into a sense of calm and peacefulness that soothed her soul and reminded her that God had a way of showing himself,…even through music. Another way that Stella utilized her quiet moments was found in her love of reading. You might have often found her curled up with a good book becoming more enrapt with each turn of the pages as she chalked up another great read for her library.

But Stella’s most coveted reading sessions were those that came with each time she opened her Bible and read many of those old, familiar stories that have filled the ages,…and which also filled her heart & soul, too. Being a strong woman of faith, getting and staying close to God was forever a top priority in Stella’s life,…and soaking up the treasures of the Bible was just one of the many resources she used. Her faith was lived out in the lives of many, and was truly a testimony of His love.

A loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Stella touched countless lives in her journey this side of Heaven, and now is basking in the glow and love on that glorious “other side.” She lived the life of a servant, loved with the heart of a saint, and shared many lessons of the goodness in life through the blessings she knew of her own. Stella will truly be missed, but her amazing love will linger on through each reflection shared and embraced.        

Stella was the beloved wife of the late Robert. Dear mother of Bob Barna, the late Tom Barna, and the late Annette Greenwell. Loving grandmother of Sean (Terri) Barna, Ian Barna, Jason Greenwell, Mark (Kimberly) Barna, Jessie (Jason) Zielinski, and great-grandmother of Justin, Brandon, Brianne, Haley, Isabel, Abigail, and Eduard. Stella was preceded in death by her brother, Casmere Klimkowski.

A Memorial Mass for Stella will take place on Monday, October 28th at 10:00 am at St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families Catholic Church – St. Dorothy Site in Warren. Guests are welcome from 9:30 am until time of the Mass. Officiating the funeral liturgy will be Reverend Fr. Robert Bauer.

Memorial donations are welcomed to the Capuchin Ministries, 1870 Mt. Elliott Street, Detroit, Michigan 48207,…ar at www.csk.org.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren, Michigan.

Please share memories of Stella at her guest book below.